'Biggest dream' - Sheffield Wednesday ace Pierce Charles addresses World Cup target ahead of crunch qualifiers
Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles will be hoping his Northern Ireland teammates can deliver during this international break.
Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles has admitted he is dreaming of the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland at next summer’s World Cup alongside brother and former Owls teammate Shea.
With just two World Cup qualifiers remaining, Northern Ireland are still in the conversation to qualify for next summer’s showpiece event. They face Slovakia in the Slovakian city of Kosice on Friday night before taking on Luxembourg at Windsor Park in Belfast next Monday evening.
Michael O’Neill’s side are currently third in their qualifying group, which also features Germany, meaning they must win one of their final two matches to stand any chance of qualifying via their group. Germany currently sit top of the group on nine points, Slovakia, who also have nine points, are second, Northern Ireland are third on six and Luxembourg are bottom of the pile without a point to their name.
The group winner will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the runner-up will go into the play-offs. Alternatively, Northern Ireland, in the event of them not finishing in the top two in Group A, could still go into March’s play-off round via their Nations League group win last year.
The top four Nations League winners who do not finish in the top two in their World Cup qualifying group will earn a play-off spot, meaning all may not be lost for Northern Ireland and their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since 1986 if results do not go their way over the coming days.
And although the Charles brothers will be powerless to help Northern Ireland either qualify or keep their qualification hopes alive during this international break because of injuries, the Wednesday goalkeeper is keeping his hopes alive of getting the chance to go to a World Cup alongside his older brother next year.
Charles opens up on World Cup dream
"That is the biggest dream; me and Shea talk about it all the time,” the Owls shot-stopper told The Star.
"That is the target, I suppose, with the possibility of the play-offs in March if we don't go through automatically. It is a big focus of mine and I can't wait.
"You don't go much prouder moments than that [playing at a World Cup with your brother]. It would be a once in a lifetime moment and something I would cherish forever."
O’Neill’s side were desperately unlucky not to emerge from last month’s international break at least one point better off, after producing a brilliant performance against Germany that was worthy of a point at the very least. They were beaten 1-0 after Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade headed home his first international goal in the first half.
Charles, of course, was sidelined for the defeat to Germany due to a shoulder injury he is still working his way back from. He has not played since Wednesday were beaten 3-0 by Stoke City on August 16.
His stint on the sidelines has meant he has only made three appearances for the Owls under manager Henrik Pedersen, but the 20-year-old has enjoyed working with the Dane since he stepped up to succeed Danny Röhl during the summer.
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"I think he is really good," Charles said of Pedersen. "The detail that he puts into the sessions is really good.
"You saw that last year with the old manager; you could see what he was about and what he was good at, so when he took over the job we were all so confident in him.
"We just wanted the best for the club and the best environment for us to be around. So far he has done really well and kept the positive vibes up no matter what has gone on behind the scenes."